Agapé is the love for all of mankind. You should definitely be including yourself in that group! What are the ways that you express love for yourself? Is yoga on that list?
Why is Yoga love? Because it is the very expression of agapé.
To practice yoga is to accept the divinity of body / mind / spirit. The union of movement, breathwork, meditation and self-care. But we do so not just to elevate our own individual selves, but to be a cell in a larger body, all working toward that divinity and union.
Yoga is a communion, one that we share with millions of people on the planet and – by extension – with every person we share this world with. After all, healthier yogis infect those around them with the joy of their yoga experiences. We infuse the planet with stronger and healthier breath, with stronger arms and legs and spines, with a sense of peace within our being and a greater commitment to be part of the human experience.
The human experience is not a solo venture. We share our journey and our mission with every person we meet. The barista at our favorite café. The bus driver who started out having a bad day. Our spouses and partners and friends. The busy grandma in front of us at the market. The teacher we place our children in their care. And the ripple effect goes on, far beyond those we actually make eye contact with. How can our personal yoga practice create a ribbon of love that wraps around the world?
It starts with the smallest step. To get onto your mat each day or as often as you can. But to do so with a purpose: “Today, I practice yoga to feel and express love. Have you ever thought those words as you began your movements? What do you think would change if you tried that for the next fourteen days?
Yoga is love and love goes far beyond the 15, 30, 60 or 90 minutes you’ll spend on your mat. And if you do it with a truly open heart, that ribbon you sent out around the world finds it way right back to you again.